Category: travel

More Short-Eared Owls on a Post

I took these after 5 tonight. It was cloudy and started raining after I left, so it was dark. The first one is short eared-owl on a post that is cropped a lot.

More short-eared owls on a post- cropped a lot
More Short-eared owls on a post- not cropped a lot

This second picture was lightened a lot, but not cropped as much as the first picture. It landed on a post very close to where we could stand. This is the first year I have seen the short-eared owls land on posts.

Although the lighting is bad, I still enjoyed seeing them closer than I ever have before. I just wish they would come that close with better lighting conditions.

Short-Eared Owl on a Post

I decided to swing by the land I see these owls on before dark. It rained part of the day, but continued to look dark and dreary. The last two nights the owls only flew on the other end of the field. Tonight they flew closer. I was able to see them in flight, on a tree, and see one of the short-eared owls on a post.

Short-Eared Owl on a Post

The flight shots were grainy due to high ISO, but you cannot have everything.

Short-Eared Owl on a Post

I may try to go on the weekend, but luck has not been on my side on Saturdays or Sundays. The increase in the number of owl paparazzi on weekends keeps them at bay. Have a great weekend!

Short-Eared Owl Fly By

I went for a couple of hours to watch the short-eared owls again. This time from the viewing platform, which I usually stay away from. I was lucky they flew nearby, but not too close a few times.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By

They seemed to have come out earlier today than yesterday. It was before sunset started.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By

All pictures were taken with a zoom lens and are heavily cropped.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By -This one is checking us out.

Tonight they spent a lot of time flying to the trees on the edge of the property, which are beyond the trails. It looked like there may have between 8-11. I wonder if it is a gathering before they head back up to northern Canada or the Arctic.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By – Checking us out again

I am guessing they are just as curious at times about us as they do look in our direction. What do you think?

Short-Eared Owls on the Hunt

What do you do on a day off? Besides running some errands I also went to see how close the short-eared owls would come today.

Short-eared Owl on the hunt – fly by
Short-eared owls on the hunt
Short-Eared Owls on the hunt. – This one flew over a trail you allowed on.
Short-Eared Owl on the hunt

It helped that is was a sunny day and not too windy. They came out at around sunset, so we all had a little bit of time to photography them. They were closer than I had seen them from early December through the beginning of February on Sundays, but not too close. These are all taken with a zoom lens and are heavily cropped. Squeeze in some time with nature and wildlife on your days off. Have a great week!

Hawk Opening Act

The main attraction at one place I visit is short eared owls. I usually can only go during the weekend. Too many people are there then, so the owls do not come close to the areas you are allowed to stand while visiting. Occasionally, on a weekday they may come close to the photographers. However, so far I have only been able to stop by on one day during the weekends. Luckily this hawk has started to entertain us. I think it either wants to know what the fuss is, or it is a diva. The hawk seems to be saying, “Look at Me!”

Hawk Opening Act

I believe it is a red -tailed hawk. It is obliging and lands on trees, buildings, and posts. Sometimes the opening acts are better than the main show. Don’t discount them.

Speakeasy Motors

A Speakeasy is a place where alcoholic beverages were sold illegally during the Prohibition years in the USA (1920–33). Some think the word came from speak-softly shops, which were illegal drinking establishments in England and Ireland in the 19th century. Since alcohol was illegal people needed to be secretive. Customers were expected to speak quietly while inside the establishments to avoid being found out. Speakeasies in the USA did not become well known until 1920, when an amendment to the Constitution outlawed alcohol. In New York City there were between 20,000–100,000 speakeasies.

Speakeasy Motors

Driving on a rural road, I came across this vintage vehicle being used for advertising. It is advertising Speakeasy Motors. I love finding repurposed old vehicles. How about you?

Red Hook Doors

I love old doors. I went on a short trip through Red Hook, New York and some of the old doors stood out to me with their Christmas greens. Included are a few I saw.

Red Hook Doors- My favourite- Unfortunately I could not get too close. I took this from the sidewalk and there was a bush in front of the view.
Red Hook Doors- single door
Red Hooks Doors- Houses with 2 doors had two wreaths
Red Hook Doors- Double Door Double Wreath

The weather has been very uncooperative this week. We have had dark skies and rain. Seeing the decorations has been a highlight. My favourite is the first one. Which one is yours?

Grinch House

Took some family on a ride on some streets in another county that were said to have good displays. One house stood out for me. It was the house that was made to look like Grinch. (I took the photo with my phone).

Grinch House

This Grinch House light display came complete with his dog. The windows are his eyes. The attic window is his hat. The door appears to be his nose. They are making him smile. Have you seen any unique decorations on your travels this year?

Christmas Sheds

These were taken on the NY – Connecticut border. I personally like the two darker colours, but that is just preference.

Christmas Sheds – Dark
Christmas Sheds – medium
Christmas Sheds – light

It seems as if I am seeing less decorations this year. The houses with children ten to have the blow up decorations. Some houses have wreaths, but to me it seems there are less. Maybe it is the sign of the economy, things costing more, and people having less money. How is it in your neck of the woods? Are there more, the same amount or less decorations than before COVID?

Gallery- Loon Photos

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to display these at two different galleries.

Loon Piggy Back

The photo on top was displayed in metal print at a gallery about 2 hours north of the city for a month. Only one piece or artwork could be submitted. The same image was also displayed in print form at another gallery.

Loon Door Dash

The image from on top and the image under were both on display in a small gallery in Manhattan for a short period of time this month. I submitted the prints for the show and someone else framed them. Not a big deal, but a big deal for me.